From: Interfaith Working Group
Subject: IWG Phila. Daily News IGNITE letter
Date: Mon, 5 Apr 1999 23:46:56 -0400 (EDT)
April 3, 1999
Philadelphia Daily News
PO Box 7788
Phila., PA 19101
Dear Editors:
We greatly appreciated Debbie Woodell's column about
hate crimes. But her column served to underscore the
fact that the Daily News didn't even mention the
IGNITE '99 rally in Harrisburg on March 23. Hundreds
of people, many from Philadelphia and the surrounding
suburbs (in fact, most of the speakers were from the
Philadelphia area), converged on the capitol to hold a
vigil for the victims of hate crimes and to talk to
legislators about adding sexual orientation to the
Ethnic Intimidation Act. IGNITE '99 was part of
Equality Begins at Home, a national week-long event
that took place at state capitols across the country,
giving activists the opportunity to lobby legislators
to add sexual orientation to hate crime laws and
improve AIDS funding, among many other things. Some
rallies--such as the one in Austin, Texas--drew
thousands of participants. This large, far-reaching
event was certainly worthy of coverage by your
publication.
Sincerely,
Barbara Purdom Christopher Purdom
Interfaith Working Group Coordinators
The above letter went out on IWG letterhead listing 17 congregations and
organizations and 61 clergy from 15 religious traditions. If you are in
the general Philadelphia area and represent a congregation or religious
organization or are clergy, let us know if you want to be added - all faiths
are welcome. We will also be happy to help start similar organizations in
other areas.
--
Interfaith Working Group Religious organizations, congregations
http://www.libertynet.org/iwg and clergy supporting gay rights,
iwg@libertynet.org reproductive freedom, and the
voice: 215-235-3050 fax: 232-0829 separation of church and state.
Sunday May 16, 1999 5pm. Marching In the Light: IWG Benefit Concert. Old
First Reformed Church. 4th and Race, Philadelphia, PA. See the web page.